L.A. Trends Blogger and Former Fashion Editor Shares Summer's Style Essentials

By Beth Whiffen
June 23, 2011

With a resume that includes former West Coast Retail Editor of Women’s Wear Daily, owner and buyer of the fabulous (but short-lived) L.A. boutique Iconology, and publicist for Orange County mega-mall South Coast Plaza, there may be no one more fun to talk shop—and shopping—with than Michelle Dalton Tyree. Now the founding editor of the fashion blog FashionTrendsDaily and the owner of brand consultancy firm Blab Communications, Tyree sat down with The Inside Source.

The Inside Source: Before launching Fashion Trends Daily, you were the L.A. Retail Editor of fashion trade newspaper WWD. How does being a blogger differ from being a newspaper reporter?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: Both roles require you to ferret out your own stories, be they new stores, designers, fashion trends or what have you. But in the end it comes down to freedom. I’ve always been a very entrepreneurial person, which is what led me to leave WWD to start my own businesses, Blab Communications and Iconology, which has been shuttered for some years. Fashion Trends Daily feeds both my entrepreneurial spirit as well as my passion for fashion editorial.

Michelle Tyree (photo credit: Tyler Boye)

The Inside Source: After leaving WWD, you opened a high-end boutique, Iconology, in Los Angeles. What was the best part of having your own store?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: The store was an incredible incubator of creative PR and marketing ideas. In terms of keeping your ear to the ground, there’s no substitute for having Hollywood stylists and celebrities come in and tell you what they need and want right now.

Michelle Tyree, Iconology

Interior shot of Iconology (photo Credit: Tyler Boye), Iconology fashion show of Erica Davies collection, with sand runway

The Inside Source: You took a break from fashion writing while you had your boutique. What motivated you to get back in the game and start a style blog?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: Soon after we closed Iconology, I found myself knee deep in PR and marketing consulting for both fashion and lifestyle brands and retailers as well as for companies who invest in retail. I do a lot of social media work with clients and blogger outreach is a key component, so I was working with a lot of wonderful bloggers for stories. I had resisted jumping in myself for a long time because I didn’t want to be the cliché editor-who-starts-her-own-blog, but I realized that I still have the thrill of the hunt in me. I love to ferret out new concepts, new fashion trends and stores. So last summer, I embraced editorial once again and, in fact, became the cliché editor-who-starts-her-own-blog.

The Inside Source: You travel a lot. Where do you most like to visit, from a fashion perspective?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: I love the vibrancy in both London and Tokyo. London fashion is feeling very fresh to me right now and full of energy because people are taking risks, and are not afraid of color, pattern. If you can’t have fun with fashion, then what can you have fun with?

Michelle Tyree & celebs

Michelle Tyree with Eva Mendes at the Christian Dior re-opening at South Coast Plaza (photo credit: Ryan Miller Capture Imaging), Michelle Tyree with Eva Longoria and Felicity Huffman when Iconology hosted the launch of Felicity Huffman's book

The Inside Source: Your blog is all about fashion trends. So, what are the biggest ones you’re seeing right now?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: Feathers. Feathers. And more feathers. In the hair. On earrings. Necklaces. Bags. My 8-year-old daughter just got them in her hair and she wanted me to get a few, too. So I did. I figure I’ll only be cool to her for a few more years, so I’m going to milk it while I can. But people are obsessed with this trend. One of the moms at my daughter’s school asked for the name of [the person] who did ours, because said mom wanted to get in on the feather action, too. There must be a lot of naked birds out there now.

Another is boyfriend blazers. I especially love them over dresses, because they have an effortless, romantic quality. I am currently coveting a blush-hued one by Dries Van Noten. I think it’s partly that it evokes that feeling of your guy putting his jacket around you as you leave the party in the crisp, night air.

The Inside Source: What fashion trend do you wish would go away?

Michelle Dalton Tyree: Feathers soon, I’m sure. And I’m still seeing a lot of extra shiny leggings in L.A. And since no one looks as good as Olivia Newton John did wearing them in "Grease", I think it’s just time to give them all back to her.

The Inside Source: What are your top 5 fashion style secrets?

Michelle Dalton Tyree:

1. Investment shop. My mantra has always been to buy fewer amazing quality pieces than armfuls of schlock.

2. Gorgeous, supportive underpinnings. A great bra and underwear will make or break your outfit. A third boob only looks good if you’re an alien in "Total Recall".

3. One standout accessory. The one I can’t live without is my Hermes Collier de Chien cuff.

4. Only buy if you L-O-V-E it, and can practically hear yourself squealing with delight in text speak: “OMG, it’s A-MA-zing!”

5. When in doubt, snap a photo. Take a picture of yourself in the dressing room and ask yourself: If the paparazzi snapped me wearing this, would I look like a rock star or like I need to go into rehab?

The Inside Source: What are your top 5 essential items for summer 2011?

Michelle Dalton Tyree:

1. Wide-leg jeans. My fave this season: My J. Brand Bette jeans. My legs feel so long in them, I swear I can almost nibble from the tops of trees.

2. A bag in raffia. It’s not only for tying presents with! I love the YSL chYc bag in raffia; there’s also an adorable little clutch from J. Crew and any straw bag you’ve ever picked up on holiday is also fair game. Sombreros? Not so much.

3. A maxi dress. I really wanted one of the DEREK LAM + eBay Maxi Dresses, but I didn’t get to it in time. (This should be Style Secret #6, ladies: Buy it when you see it, or it will be gone!)

4. Wedges. Wear them with shorts, dresses... Some faves are from Tory Burch, YSL, Belle by Sigerson Morrison... 5

5. Stripes. They look great every summer, but I’m really loving this super soft DKNY stripe short sleeve scoop neck dress that looks fantastic with a wide belt and a denim or leather jacket. DKNY has really hit it out of the park the past few seasons and I loved what they showed at Fashion Week for fall.

Roll over items for details

DEREK LAM + eBay Chemise Dress

(buy it now price, $225)

DEREK LAM + eBay Indigo Denim Dress

(buy it now price, $195)

Kate Spade Edgartown Mini Clutch

(current bid, $125.99)

J. Brand Bette Jeans

(buy it now price, $154.99)

Feather Hair Extensions

(current bid, $66)

Tory Burch Wedge Sandals

(buy it now price, $199.99)

Le Mystere Bra & Panty Set

(buy it now price, $74)

Miss Selfridge Ginger Pleated Shorts

(buy it now price, $40.40)

Antique Bronze Peacock Feather Necklace

(buy it now price, $9.04)

Elizabeth & James Boyfriend Blazer

(buy it now price, $130)

Hermes Collier de Chien Cuff

L.A. Trends Blogger and Former Fashion Editor Shares Summer's Style Essentials

1. DEREK LAM + eBay Chemise Dress: "First of all, let me say that I’m pleased to see that Derek Lam has 100 % positive feedback. While the DEREK LAM + eBay maxi dress is gone, I also adore chemise dress. It’s perfect for pairing with a pair of cowboy boots and a denim jacket or just a pair of great wedges."

2. DEREK LAM + eBay Indigo Denim Dress: "A piece of denim that’s not your jeans is also a favorite this summer. I love the Derek Lam + eBay Indigo denim sun dress".

3. Kate Spade Edgartown Mini Clutch: "Chic summer prep that perfectly fits the bill for my straw bag: The Kate Spade Edgartown mini clutch named after a town in one of my favorite summer getaways: Martha’s Vineyard. I’d happily put this into basket and bike around town."

4. J. Brand Bette Jeans: "My legs feel so long in [these jeans]. I swear I can almost nibble from the tops of trees."

5. Tory Burch Wedge Sandals: "Wear [wedges] with shorts, dresses... Some faves are from Tory Burch, YSL, Belle by Sigerson Morrison..."

6. Feather Hair Extensions: "My 8-year-old daughter just got [feather hair extensions] in her hair and she wanted me to get a few, too. So I did. I figure I’ll only be cool to her for a few more years, so I’m going to milk it while I can."

7. Le Mystere Bra & Panty Set: "A great bra and underwear will make or break your outfit."

8. Miss Selfridge Ginger Pleated Shorts: Tyree tells us Selfridge's in London is one of her favorite shops. Here, a piece from the department store's street fashion collection.

9. Antique Bronze Peacock Feather Necklace: "Feathers. Feathers. And more feathers," says Tyree of the trend she's seeing the most of right now.

10. Elizabeth & James Boyfriend Blazer: On boyfriend blazers, another of Tyree's favorite trends: "I especially love them over dresses, because they have an effortless, romantic quality."

11. Hermes Collier de Chien Cuff: "[One accessory] I can’t live without is my Hermes Collier de Chien cuff," says Tyree.

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